The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve compliance, risk protection in the aviation sector.

The MoU which was signed on Wednesday in Abuja is expected to establish a framework for aviation operations to remain adequate, valid and responsive to emerging risks.

The Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of NAICOM, Olusegun Omosehin, said the agreement was a significant milestone in strengthening institutional cooperation between the insurance and aviation regulators.

He said the partnership demonstrated the shared commitment of both institutions to the safety, integrity and resilience of Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.

According to him, although NAICOM and NCAA have distinct statutory mandates, their responsibilities are mutually reinforcing risk management, consumer protection and industry stability.

 “The aviation industry occupies a strategic position in our economy, providing critical services that support commerce, tourism, investment and national development,” he said.

The commissioner said NAICOM would continue to provide regulatory oversight and technical expertise on insurance matters under the partnership.

He said that the commission would support initiatives aimed at protecting Nigerians and promoting compliance across the aviation and insurance industries.

He said the committee would facilitate information sharing, reviews of insurance requirements, coordinate stakeholder engagements and promote capacity building for both regulators and industry participants.

Omosehin assured the NCAA management of NAICOM’s full commitment to the effective operation of the committee, and provide the necessary technical expertise to deliver on its mandate.

“These measures will contribute significantly to improved regulatory effectiveness and enhanced confidence among stakeholders,” he said.

He said the partnership went beyond regulatory compliance, adding that it is an initiative to protect policyholders and strengthen investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.

According to him, insurance provides critical financial protection to passengers, airlines, and members of the public by ensuring that legitimate liabilities, accidents and losses are appropriately addressed when they occur.

 “Compulsory aviation liability insurance remains an important safeguard for air travellers and other users of aviation services.

“A robust insurance framework, therefore, promotes public confidence in air transportation, supports business continuity, and contributes to the stability required for sustainable economic growth,” he said.

The commissioner said the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s broader economic ambitions of attaining a one trillion-dollar economy by 2030 under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said that aviation safety and passenger protection were shared responsibilities requiring sustained collaboration among regulators, operators, insurers and other stakeholders.

 “Through effective cooperation between NAICOM and NCAA, we can better safeguard passengers, protect third parties and contribute to a safer, more resilient and more trusted air transport system,” he said.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt Chris Najomo, said the partnership was designed to strengthen aviation safety through adequate financial protection and sustainable insurance practices.

Najomo said that the objective of the partnership was not merely to enforce compliance but to create an effective framework capable of addressing regulatory and operational challenges.

“Our objective is not merely to enforce compliance, but to establish a balanced regulatory environment in which aviation safety and financial protection complement each other.

“Effective collaboration between the two regulatory bodies will promote sustainable insurance practices,” he said.(NAN)

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted narcotics, controlled pharmaceuticals, drones and expired goods valued at N43.5 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this on Wednesday while handing over the intercepted consignments to relevant government agencies.

Adeniyi handed over the narcotics to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while the illicit and expired drugs were handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Adeniyi said the seizures demonstrated the importance of Customs beyond revenue collection, stressing that the service was also responsible for supply chain security, border protection and ensuring the safety of imports.

He said criminals were increasingly concealing narcotics, restricted equipment and expired goods in legitimate consignments through false declarations, the use of agents and syndicates operating at ports.

According to him, concealment methods include hiding narcotics inside vehicles, drugs beneath household goods and restricted equipment declared as ordinary electronics to evade detection.

The CGC said the service had, over the past three years, strengthened its cargo-targeting capacity through profiling, risk assessment and the use of the Producer platform, which integrates trade data across Customs commands nationwide.

He also said that in July 2026, Customs established an INTERPOL Data Centre in Abuja, giving Nigeria access to more than 152 international security databases.

Adeniyi said strengthened collaboration with the NDLEA through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and international partners had enhanced intelligence-led operations.

He said Customs intercepted 11 containers containing three broad categories of prohibited and restricted items.

The first category comprised 15,245 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 7,624kg in three containers, as well as 169,998 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in household items.

The second category involved 100 high-definition dual-camera drones imported without the required approvals.

Adeniyi warned that the drones and other security-sensitive equipment could be used for unauthorised surveillance and criminal activities.

The third category comprised expired tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquids, disposable nappies and vaginal tablets, which he said posed serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers.

The CGC also listed 1,282 bales of used clothing, 148 bags of foreign parboiled rice, lithium batteries and food items concealed alongside the illicit consignments.

He said drones and other security-sensitive equipment required end-user certificates and relevant security approvals.

Adeniyi warned that unauthorised imports would be detained and handed over to the appropriate government agencies.

He commended officers of the Apapa Command, the NDLEA and other local and international partners for their cooperation in combating illicit trade.

The CGC urged the media to continue exposing individuals and networks undermining legitimate commerce and national security.

He also advised importers to take advantage of the Advanced Ruling and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes to ensure compliance with import regulations.

Adeniyi stressed that Nigerian ports would not be allowed to become safe corridors for prohibited and illicit goods.

Earlier, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the presence of the CGC and other stakeholders demonstrated the importance attached to leadership, collaboration and public accountability.

Oshoba said the participation of sister agencies also underscored the sustained inter-agency cooperation needed to strengthen national security, public safety and economic prosperity.

He assured that the Apapa Command remained committed to the CGC’s policy direction and would uphold professionalism, discipline, integrity and diligence in facilitating legitimate trade and protecting the national interest.

He said joint operations and collaboration with sister agencies had continued to help the command effectively tackle criminal networks and perform its duties.(NAN)

The National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Abubakar Shettima, has urged independent petroleum marketers to rely on local refineries for product sourcing.

Shettima made the call in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, saying greater reliance on domestic refineries would optimise supply and guarantee long-term price stability for consumers.

He said embracing the country’s domestic refining capacity was a patriotic obligation that would eliminate costly freight and port charges, stimulate local employment and provide the quickest path to achieving national energy independence.

The IPMAN president also called on members to capitalise on the opportunity to evolve from mere off-takers of petroleum products into equity owners of primary production infrastructure.

According to him, such investment will strengthen the collective capacity of independent marketers to guarantee affordable and unhindered fuel distribution across all 36 states, while ensuring stability in pump prices.

Shettima also commended the management and board of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals on the planned commencement of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) and public share sales.

He described the development as a monumental paradigm shift from a privately held visionary project into a democratised national asset.

 “As an association that controls over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum retail infrastructure, operating more than 150,000 retail outlets across the nation, we recognise the strategic importance of this development.

“The Dangote Refinery’s robust operational capacity not only secures our domestic energy needs but also conserves vital foreign exchange.

“IPMAN believes that investment in the Dangote Refinery is a direct stake in the energy security and economic sovereignty of Nigeria,” he said.

Shettima, however, appealed to the management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery not to discontinue its direct allocation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to independent marketers.

He urged the refinery to expand its direct allocation framework to cover every registered independent marketer nationwide, rather than limiting access or cutting off selected distribution channels.

He also urged the Federal Government to implement stringent policies to discourage the continuous importation of PMS.

He said that continued reliance on imported fuel would deplete the country’s foreign reserves and undermine domestic industrial growth.(NAN)